NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. (NYSE: GPMT) today announced that Ethan Lebowitz, Managing Director, will succeed Steven Plust as Chief Operating Officer effective no later than May 1, 2025. Mr. Lebowitz will serve as Deputy Chief Operating Officer until the COO transition is effective.
Following the transition, Mr. Plust will remain with Granite Point as a Senior Managing Director full-time until his retirement from the Company, which will be no later than December 31, 2027. In this capacity, he will continue to serve the Company in a senior role, including on various management committees, such as the Company’s Investment Committee.
“I want to thank Steve for his considerable contributions so far to Granite Point since our Company’s inception,” said Jack Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Granite Point. “Steve has played a critical role in shaping our strategy and building our strong operational foundation. We are pleased that we will continue to benefit from his tremendous expertise and experience.”
Mr. Taylor continued, “Ethan has demonstrated exceptional leadership, deep industry acumen and keen strategic vision over his many year career with us, including at Granite Point since its inception. I am excited to welcome him to the executive team. His appointment reflects our deep bench of talent across the organization and our ability to develop the next generation of leaders.”
“Having served as Granite Point’s COO since the Company’s inception, I believe now is the right time for me to transition the role to Ethan’s capable hands,” said Mr. Plust. “I am proud of what we have built at Granite Point and have the utmost confidence in Granite Point’s future, and am focused on supporting Jack, Ethan and the rest of the leadership team as we continue to build on our significant momentum.”
“I am thrilled to succeed Steve as COO at this important time for Granite Point,” said Mr. Lebowitz. “I look forward to working alongside the executive team as we continue to execute key initiatives to enhance our resilience and successfully navigate the current environment and position Granite Point to drive profitable growth.”
About Ethan Lebowitz
Ethan Lebowitz is a veteran commercial real estate leader, with more than two decades of investment and originations experience, who has worked with senior members of the Granite Point team for many years, including most recently serving as a Managing Director of Granite Point. Prior to his time at Granite Point, he was a Vice President of Prudential Real Estate Investors within the global high yield debt business from 2010 to 2015. He previously served in various positions with Five Mile Capital Partners, Bank of America and FleetBoston Financial. Mr. Lebowitz holds a B.A. from Brandeis University in History.
About Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc.
Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. is a Maryland corporation focused on directly originating, investing in and managing senior floating rate commercial mortgage loans and other debt and debt-like commercial real estate investments. Granite Point is headquartered in New York, NY. Additional information is available at www.gpmtreit.com.
